Investigation of ionomers as dispersants for single wall carbon nanotubes

A novel conjugated ionomer was prepared from a diamine and a bis(pyrylium salt). Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT) were dispersed in solutions of the ionomer in N,N-dimethylacetamide resulting in homogenous suspensions or quasi-solutions. These suspensions were used to cast unoriented thin films. In addition, the ionomer/SWNT solutions were used to aid in the dispersal of SWNTs in a soluble, low color polyimide. The use of the ionomer as a dispersant enabled the nanotubes to be dispersed at loading levels up to 1 wt% in a polyimide solution without visual agglomeration. SWNTs were well dispersed in the thin films as evidenced by visual inspection, optical microscopy, and high resolution scanning electron microscopy. The films were further characterized for their electrical and mechanical properties.